1.1* Scope. The provisions of this standard apply to the selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, and testing of portable extinguishing equipment. A.1.1 Many fires are small at origin and can be extinguished by the use of portable fire extinguishers. Notification of the fire department as soon as a fire is discovered is strongly recommended. This alarm should not be delayed by awaiting results of the application of portable fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers can represent an important segment of any overall fire protection program. However, their successful functioning depends upon the following conditions having been met: (1) The fire extinguisher is located in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 6 and is in working order. (2) The fire extinguisher is of the correct type for a fire that can occur. (3) The fire is discovered while still small enough for the fire extinguisher to be effective. (4) The fire is discovered by a person ready, willing, and able to use the fire extinguisher. Fixed systems are covered by the following NFPAstandards: (1) NFPA 11, Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam (2) NFPA 12, Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems (3) NFPA 12A, Standard on Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems (4) NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (5) NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems (6) NFPA 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection (7) NFPA 16, Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems (8) NFPA 17, Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems (9) NFPA 17A, Standard for Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems (10) NFPA 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations (11) NFPA 750, Standard on Water Mist Fire Protection Systems (12) NFPA 2001, Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems 1.1.1 Portable fire extinguishers are intended as a first line of defense to cope with fires of limited size. 1.1.2 The selection and installation of extinguishers is independent of whether the building is equipped with automatic sprinklers, standpipe and hose, or other fixed protection equipment. (See 5.5.5, 6.1.1.1, 6.2.1.1, and 6.2.1.5.) 1.1.3 The requirements given herein are minimum. 1.1.4 The requirements do not apply to permanently installed systems for fire extinguishment, even where portions of such systems are portable (such as hose and nozzles attached to a fixed supply of extinguishing agent).

NFPA 10 provides requirements to ensure that portable fire extinguishers will work as intended to provide a first line of defense against fires of limited size.
Official document scope

What does NFPA 10 address?

Criteria cover installations for Class A, B, C, D, and K hazards as well as the selection, inspection, maintenance, recharging, and testing of portable fire extinguishing equipment. Includes a list of obsolete fire extinguishers that should be removed from service.
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